'No need to go in 7th gear' - Salman Butt not keen on Shaheen Afridi taking up Pakistan captaincy in near future

Pakistani fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, is on a high after leading Lahore Qalandars to their maiden Pakistan Super League title last week. However, former Pakistan captain, Salman Butt, has opined that there is not yet a need to look at Afridi as a potential captaincy option for the national side. Butt while acknowledging the bowler’s leadership abilities on display in the PSL, said that if too many similar aged players become available for the national leadership role, it could prove to be unhealthy for the team.

He further went on to comment that a team can always benefit from a leadership group, however, the moment a particular individual starts thinking about a possible captaincy role it can negatively affect the team. Butt also reiterated that the challenges and pressure that come with international cricket are far more than what a captain has to endure in the PSL.

“Shaheen Afridi captained really well and showed great skills. But I think there is no need to go in seventh gear. Aaqib Javed has the right to speak in such a way and one should encourage players with such words. But if four-five people of the same age group get ready for captaincy then it’s not healthy for the team.

“It is good to have a leadership group but when a player starts thinking that he should be the captain then it is not healthy for the team,” Butt said on his YouTube channel. Notably, Butt’s comments appear to have come on the back of another former Pakistan cricketer, Aaqib Javed, endorsing Afridi for a future leadership role with the national team.

A Stellar PSL 7 for Shaheen Shah Afridi

The left-arm fast bowler was instrumental in Lahore Qalandars’ journey in the recently concluded PSL. Apart from being astute in his leadership, Afridi also led the bowling attack with great effect. He finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker picking up 20 scalps in 13 matches. His next assignment will now be as Pakistan’s bowling spearhead in the three-match Test series against Australia starting from March 4.